Rep. Castro Named Chair of Congressional Hispanic Caucus

WASHINGTON—Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) selected its leadership team for the 116th Congress. Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) will chair the CHC. Joining Congressman Castro on the leadership team will be Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) as First Vice Chair, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) as Second Vice Chair, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) as whip, and Congresswoman-Elect Veronica Escobar (TX-16) as Freshman Representative.

“After two years of the Administration’s unrelenting attacks against the Latino community, I’m humbled to be elected Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and be granted the opportunity to uphold our nation’s values. With 39 Members making the Caucus the largest it has been since our founding, we have a lot of work ahead of us in the 116th Congress and it will be important to deliver results and solutions to the American people. As a Caucus, we plan to work on creating opportunities for all Americans by removing barriers to education, raising minimum wages, increasing diversity across all sectors, lowering the cost of healthcare, and pushing back against climate change” said Chairman Elect Joaquin Castro (TX-20).

Chairman Elect Castro continued: “We will also continue holding the Administration accountable for their failed handling of Hurricane Maria, and dishonest efforts to add a citizenship question to the census. From separating families at the border, tear gassing women and children seeking asylum, and proposing to gut the Flores Settlement Agreement to indefinitely detain immigrant families, it is critical we continue shedding light on Trump’s inhumane immigration policies. As part of our work, we will also coordinate with leadership, on both sides of the aisle, to find a path to citizenship for our Dreamers and make passing comprehensive immigration reform a top priority in the next Congress.”

“At this challenging time, it is more important than ever that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus works together to advocate for the interests of the Hispanic community and fight to expand economic opportunity, protect voting rights, improve education and access to affordable healthcare, and pass comprehensive immigration reform,” said First Vice Chair Elect Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07). “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the members of the CHC as First Vice Chair, and I look forward to working with them and with our colleagues in the House to address the issues that matter most to Latino Americans.”

“I am grateful to my CHC colleagues for giving me the opportunity to serve in leadership as the next Second Vice Chair,” said Second Vice Chair Elect Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44). “The CHC is the frontline in combating the Trump Administration’s assault on our Hispanic communities, and as the next second vice-chair, I intend to continue the fight in addressing issues such as family separation, comprehensive immigration reform, access to healthcare and assisting our brothers and sisters with the rebuilding efforts of Puerto Rico.”

“I am honored to have been unanimously elected to serve as Whip of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), which will have a record-breaking number of members from around the country during the 116th Congress,” said Whip Elect Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “We are stronger than ever and will continue our efforts to put forth bold policies and strategies to ensure the American dream remains accessible for all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity or nation of birth.”

“It’s an honor to serve with my colleagues on the CHC, working to create a government we can be proud of, and standing up to this Administration’s hateful policies that target communities like my own. As a third generation El Pasoan, having lived on the U.S.-Mexico border my entire life, I know there has never been a more urgent time to fight for Latino communities, and how important our work ahead is,” said freshman Representative Elect Congresswoman-Elect Veronica Escobar (TX-16). “I look forward to working with, and learning from, my CHC colleagues in the 116th Congress.”

The new CHC executive board will officially take to their offices when the 116th Congress opens in January 2019.